When the Brothers Groove, the People Listen

This article originally appeared in the Northern Express Weekly (April 18, 2002)

The Brothers Groove were not long ago a guitar-less trio with a smoking-hot original sound and a penchant for packing nightclubs near downtown Detroit. Their unconventional mix of instrumentation (Todd Glass on drums, James Simonson on bass, and Chris Codish singing and playing keyboards) may have drawn a few comparisons to the Ben Folds Five and Medeski Martin & Wood, but that quickly changed when guitarist Erik Gustafson joined the brotherhood.

His presence certainly hasn't detracted, as the Brothers are collectively nominated for seven Detroit Music Awards this year, including Outstanding Funk Group. The ceremony is to be held on April 19th, 2002. Their debut album, "Clamp It Down", was recorded in the summer of 2000 and received similar accolade at last year's awards, picking up six. Their infectious grooves and Chris's quick lyrics were brought together on the well-produced CD that caught the attention of those living well outside Detroit. Even beyond Michigan's borders, in fact.

John Popper joins the Brothers Groove onstage at the SXSW Festival in Austin, TX (March 2002)

Each band member's roots reach far and deep: vocalist Chris Codish has played the keys since he was five years old, and spent four years touring Europe and recorded five albums with Johnnie Bassett and the Blues Insurgents, also playing alongside Larry McCray, Lucky Peterson, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas. James Simonson has played with Joe Williams, Arturo Sandoval and Carol Channing. Erik Gustafson also lends his guitar to the jazz outfit Blue Dog, who received their own nomination this year for Detroit's Outstanding Modern Jazz Group. And Todd Glass is an obvious talent on the drum kit, proven time and again at their blistering live shows. His energy drives the band through a captivating mélange of modern jazz, funk, rock and pop, including a few highly eclectic covers. "There ain't nothing like a soul food stew," sings Chris, on the album's explosive opener, "You're a Pressure Cooker!"

The Brothers have recently become masters of collaboration, with talent from across the nation joining them onstage. They recently finished a tour that included a stop here in Traverse City, opening for the Howling Diablos and legendary funkateers from Los Angeles, Fishbone. They played with ex-Sponge frontman Vinnie Dombrowski, currently in a rockabilly outfit called the Orbitsuns. And in March, the band traveled to Austin, Texas to participate in the SXSW (south by southwest) Music Convention where an enthusiastic John Popper, of Blues Traveler, joined them onstage for an extended take on Gil Scot-Heron's anthem, "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised". Popper shouted to the crowd after finishing his performance, "What do you think about this band? These guys ... rock!"

On April 1st, fans of the Groove were shocked when midway through their second set, a tour bus appeared outside of the club, at 5th Avenue Billiards in Royal Oak. Teen heartthrobs, N'SYNC, had just finished an earlier show at the Palace and were followed into the bar by a host of bodyguards and excited fans. Tipped off to their band by Simonson's friend, TV Actor and Singer Tony Lucca, N'SYNC had an interest in catching the hottest act in town. They all stayed to take in the vibe and watch as Lucca joined the Brothers Groove onstage for a rendition of Stevie Wonder's "Superstition". But the night took its strangest turn when N'SYNC's JC Chavez took up Codish's offer to join the Brothers Groove onstage! An impromptu version of the Brothers Groove song, "One Two Three", saw JC free-styling over the two chord grind. "It was cool because he had to improvise; no choreography, no routines, just get up on stage and make real music with real cats," said Codish. "We were just laying down a fat slow funky groove and he sang some vocal riffs over it, and he sounded great!" Though JC was heckled by some of the Brothers Groove faithful, Codish quieted them by saying, "You're just booing 'cause you can't sing like that." The Brothers were every bit as surprised as the fans, though it proved to be no April Fool's joke.

It's astounding to see a band so accomplished after only one album and a limited edition Christmas single ("Funky Santa", the first track recorded with Gustafson on guitar). But with so many years of experience between them, the Brothers Groove seem likely to push it ever further. And a great sense of humor never hurts. With such an innovative approach to the music, it should be inspiring to see where, as a quartet, they turn their talents next.

2002 Detroit Music Awards (Nominations)

Outstanding Funk Artist/group
Outstanding Blues/R&B Instrumentalist: Chris Codish, organ/keyboard
Outstanding Urban/Funk Songwriter: Chris Codish, Brothers Groove
Outstanding Urban/Funk Instrumentalist: Chris Codish, keyboards
Outstanding Urban/Funk Instrumentalist: James Simonson, bass
Outstanding Urban/Funk Vocalist: Chris Codish, Brothers Groove

Outstanding Modern Jazz Artist/Group: Blue Dog